Punt Return / Kick Return

[gbgary]

It would be a huge mistake not putting enough emphasis on special teams. The Packers would definitely benefit from having an improved return game in 2019.

i didn't say they shouldn't put an emphasis on it. i'm just saying i don't care who does it...as long as they're not turning the ball over or making bad decisions. our biggest special teams issues have been in covering punts/kicks...and, last year, crosby missing fg's.

 

[GleefulGary]

It would be a huge mistake not putting enough emphasis on special teams. The Packers would definitely benefit from having an improved return game in 2019.

Punt return, yes. Kick return, meh.

I just want to be able to get decent returns without penalties. Seems like anytime there's a good punt return, there's a flag on the field.

 

[gbgary]

Punt return, yes. Kick return, meh.

I just want to be able to get decent returns without penalties. Seems like anytime there's a good punt return, there's a flag on the field.

ugh...yes. the penalties.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

i didn't say they shouldn't put an emphasis on it. i'm just saying i don't care who does it...as long as they're not turning the ball over or making bad decisions. our biggest special teams issues have been in covering punts/kicks.

Well, the Packers have to care about who is returning punts and kickoffs with Davis currently presenting the best option.

I agree the team has to improve covering kickoffs and punts compared to last season though.

 

[Deleted member 6794]

Punt return, yes. Kick return, meh.

I'm not sure why you think that as the Packers returned the same amount of kickoffs and punts in 2018.

 

[gbgary]

Well, the Packers have to care about who is returning punts and kickoffs with Davis currently presenting the best option.

I agree the team has to improve covering kickoffs and punts compared to last season though.

ugh...i didn't say they shouldn't...they should, and do. again...I don't care.

 

[Curly Calhoun]

Whom do you predict will return kicks and punts? I can’t imagine Trevor Davis having a roster spot at this point, but can any one else take on return specialist?

I just file that under "They'll figure it out" and not worry about it....

I agree that Trevor Davis is likely out of second chances in Titletown.

 

[Dantés]

Packers today claimed Jawill Davis from the Giants, who is a return specialist.

 

[Croquet]

STs are vitally important, McCarthy paid no attention to them at all and paid the price. Davis is a game changer. If he played last year, we would have won 2 to 3 more games, we would have made the playoffs and McCarthy would still be coach. His ONE year doing punt and kick off returns (2017), he was rated the #1 returner in the league by Pro Football Focus. At 700k this year, he's a bargain for us.

I dont see him as a game changer but I think he can be adequate.

My issue with Davis is that his first step is usually back. Like he's trying to get up a head of steam. Meanwhile the gunners or coverage guys are 10-12 yards closer. i cant believe that the coaches never saw this. Makes no sense.

 

[firstdown]

I dont see him as a game changer but I think he can be adequate.

My issue with Davis is that his first step is usually back. Like he's trying to get up a head of steam. Meanwhile the gunners or coverage guys are 10-12 yards closer. i cant believe that the coaches never saw this. Makes no sense.

The most important part of being a punt returner is ball security. Davis has never muffed or fumbled a punt. The second most important part is fearlessness, and Davis has that in spades. Add in Davis' elite athletic ability, and you have a hell of a returner. Green Bay isn't looking for Davis' replacement, they're looking for his backups.

Davis doesn't go backwards on his returns, but he does go sideways sometimes so he can hit the holes. Considering he has a career 12 yards-per-return average, I don't mind a couple of sideways steps. And he does hit the holes, 21% of his punt returns go for 20 yards or longer.

The new kickoff coverage rules are going to up his KO return average too. Against Seattle, his first game of the year last year, we got a taste of that when one of his two KO returns went for 55 yards. If we can stop getting penalized on his returns, he might average 30 yards per KO return, and 15 yards per punt return.

Is that adequate enough for you?

 

[Deleted member 6794]

The most important part of being a punt returner is ball security. Davis has never muffed or fumbled a punt. The second most important part is fearlessness, and Davis has that in spades. Add in Davis' elite athletic ability, and you have a hell of a returner. Green Bay isn't looking for Davis' replacement, they're looking for his backups.

I'm fine with the Packers keeping Davis or another returner who doesn't have an impact on either offense or defense. There's absolutely no reason to have a backup on the roster solely receiving snaps on special teams though.